"Good sex is like good bridge. If you don't have a good partner, you'd better have a good hand."
Ten focus areas for buying a sex toy
Price: Let's face it, during these difficult economic times, finding affordable pleasure could not be more important. So how much is too much? Generally, somewhere between $15 and $50 is a good price range to have. It’s understandable not to want to spend so much. However, it’s also advisable to compare cheapness to what you’re getting. Something incredibly cheap may not last very long, work well, or even work as it should. However, spending too much on a toy if you’re not 110% sure it’s the right one for you can make for a regrettable purchase too.
Safety: If a product is not safe, why would anyone wish to attempt to use it? If it will cause physical harm, infections, or rashes, the toy isn't safe. Is the toy hard to clean and maintain? A more porous toy, for example one made with "cyber-skin," will be incredibly hard to clean, keep sanitized, and may even require toy covers or condoms on them to keep them safe. In comparison, toys made of glass or plastic have no pores and are much easier to clean and maintain. A clean toy is a safe toy, keeping it as such reduces the risk of infections. Another ingredient to be careful of are phthalates. Found in jelly toys and some plastics, they can sometimes cause birth defects and hormonal problems.
What’s the best toy cleaner for different materials and skin types? While most toys can be cleaned with anti-bacterial soap and warm water, it’s important to make sure the soap isn't negatively affecting your body in any way. Some soaps can react harshly towards the body, especially for older women. If your skin is becoming dry or cracked even though the soap has been thoroughly rinsed off, or developing a rash, it could indicate a mild allergic reaction. Other toys, such as those made with glass and silicone, are dishwasher safe and easier to clean. And if you want to be certain, there are multiple specialty sex toy cleaners available anywhere from around $10 to $20.
Functionality: What does the item do? With so many new gadgets in all fields of our lives, sometimes just figuring out what one does can be difficult. Knowing what the sex toy you're looking at will do or is supposed to do can be an adventure all on its own. Is the toy meant to be used externally, internally, or perhaps both? Is it meant for anal use? Things like bullets can be used for external vibrations, especially on the clit. Wands are similarly made for such external use, but can also serve as massagers. Dildos, while lacking vibrating or other moving portions, are made for internal use and sometimes have a curve meant to massage the g-spot. Vibrators like the rabbit have options for both internal and external stimulation. They can vibrate, throb, rotate, and pulsate to bring great amounts of pleasure. And if you’re into a little anal adventure, plugs, beads, and even double-penetration vibrators can be found.
Quality: The higher the quality of the toy and the materials used, the better the toy. The better the toy, the more likely someone is to purchase it. Which materials make for the best vs. worst? Why? If you’re looking for something cheap, plastic is the best bet for you. However, it won’t last as long as some other materials. Silicone isn't that much more expensive than most plastics and add the attraction of being hypoallergenic. Latex or rubber toys are often hard to clean and often carry an odor. Glass and wooden toys are also available. While easy to clean and use, these lack the ability to move or vibrate the way other toys can. Picking the best sex toy based on its material can be a very difficult and personal experience, but weighing in all the factors can help a great deal.
Productivity: Is the motor powerful enough? Does the toy really do what it’s supposed to do? Does it do it well? Asking yourself these questions when looking into a purchase is very important. Is the motor too strong? How can you tell? If a motor is too strong, it can be loud or cause numbness. Although if it’s too weak, you may not be able to feel the vibrations or reach completion.
Durability: Is the toy going to die after one or even ten uses? Will it fall apart when you touch it? How long is the material/motor intended to last? While using proper cleaning and storing methods will make your toy last longer, nothing will make it last forever. Even if your toys made of silicone, a very long lasting material, the motor still may not last. Unfortunately, there’s nothing you as the consumer can do to make your motor last forever. Read reviews instead. See what other consumers have to say about the product's durability. This can at least give you an idea as to whether or not your purchase is worth it.
Desire: How badly do you really want this item? Is it a must have or a passing fancy? If you had to rate it on a one to ten scale of how badly you want it and how much you’ll use it, what would the rating be? If it’s just a passing fancy, do you feel like perhaps you can or should wait until you find something you want more?
Discretion: Is it quiet? If you’re living alone, this may not be an issue for you. However, if you have a partner or housemate, you may feel embarrassed over the matter. Will the toy be easy to store away from private eyes? Does it have special storing needs? If it’s made from a jelly material or contains phthalates, then storing it next to another toy may cause the materials to break down and become toxic. Anal toys should be kept separate from other toys to reduce health risks. Could you travel with it if you needed to? If it requires a special charger or accessories, traveling with it may become more of a hassle than you may feel it’s worth. Many women over 50 will think hard and long over these factors when making a purchase.
Accessories: Does it come with or need any accessories? Do they need a special cleaner or lube perhaps? Toys made of silicone, for example, require a good quality lubricant to maximize comfort for their use. What kind of batteries does it take if it requires any? Many toys require either AAA or AA batteries while a few others need N1 batteries. Will it guzzle them away to nothing overnight? If your toy is a battery guzzler, you may want to invest in a set of rechargeable batteries. Some vibrators are available with rechargeable options built in and may come with chargers.
Color and Shape: Every woman wants something she finds visually attractive, whether in toys or a partner. Is the design ergonomic and easy to handle? Does it look visually appealing or just plain odd? Some toys were designed to look pretty while others were specifically made to look quirky or odd as a way of grabbing your attention. When it comes to looks, your own personal style will be the biggest thing to consider.
After considering all of these factors, a woman over 50, or any age for that matter, can buy a sex toy knowing that she has made a satisfying purchase.